Start Date: End Date: Published Date Data Date
Palm Island Resort
1000 x 653 713 KB - JPEG
Published July 13, 2003
The Islands were constructed on reclaimed land off of Dubai’s Persian Gulf coast.
Related images:
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
6144 x 4068 5 MB - JPEG
Published July 6, 2003
In 2003 the world celebrated a century of human flight with the one hundredth anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station share a kindred spirit of flight accomplishments and commemorated the centennial celebration with this image of Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Kitty Hawk is located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Wrights used the Outer Banks’ prevailing winds and the altitude gained by climbing a 90-foot hill (Kill Devil Hill) to successfully demonstrate powered flight. The large circle on the image is a road ringing Kill Devil Hill, now part of the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Lights along the Nile
3032 x 2064 2 MB - JPEG
Published June 25, 2003
City lights define the Nile River Valley as it snakes across the Egyptian desert. The cities of Naj’ Hamadi, Qena, and Luxor, shine the brightest. Communities in the hillsides create a thin border along either side of the valley. Simliar strips line the Nile itself. Most of Egypt’s population, and most of the country’s arable land, occupies the Nile River Valley.
Omaha and Council Bluffs on the Lewis and Clark Trail
1000 x 681 528 KB - JPEG
Published June 22, 2003
The Missouri River served as a vital waterway for transport of the epic Lewis and Clark Expedition. In the vicinity of Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, this mighty river meanders southward through a broad floodplain some two to eight miles wide, bordered by dissected bluffs. In late July 1804, the expedition paused to rest and repair their boats and planned the “first” Native American council (Council Bluff) with representatives of the Otoe Tribe.
Gosses Bluff Impact Crater, Northern Territory, Australia
1000 x 651 1 MB Bytes - JPEG
Published June 15, 2003
This image shows Gosses Bluff, an impact crater sandwiched between the Macdonnell Range to the north and the James Range to the south in Australia’s Northern Territory—it is about 160 km west of Alice Springs. It is one of the most studied of the Australian impact craters. The impactor, an asteroid or comet, was probably about 1 km in diameter and crashed into the earth about 142 million years ago.
Kulunda Steppe, Western Siberia, Russia
1000 x 650 1 MB Bytes - JPEG
Published June 1, 2003
>The dark spikes slashing across this agricultural area between the Ob River and the Irtysh River (out of the view left) form a familiar visual cue for astronauts that they are flying over Western Siberia. The signature pattern across the center is made by forests in a great plain that has been folded by tectonic forces—the surface rock layers form a long series of gentle folds aligned NE-SW. The lower zones are darker because the snow disappears through the Scotch pine trees. The higher areas are occupied by numerous angular fields of the steppe, etched by snow.
First Recorded Eruption of Anatahan Volcano
1000 x 621 691 KB - JPG
Published May 18, 2003
On the night of May 10, the Anatahan Volcano announced itself with a vigorous eruption that sent high-level ash over a wide area. About 12 hours later, on May 11 at 00:19 GMT, the crew of the International Space Station observed and photographed this ash plume, describing it as huge.
Above and Under the Red Sea
1000 x 658 944 KB - JPEG
Published May 11, 2003
This unique photograph of shallow Red Sea waters off the coast of Saudi Arabia gives us a glimpse of both the coral reefs under the surface, and the texture and movements of surface waters. On the left side of the image we see through the water column to the reefs below the surface. On the right side of the image, the sun reflects off of microscopic oily films formed by a combination of natural biological sources and human activities on the sea surface. The films are concentrated by surface water movements and variably dampen surface capillary waves, which effect how the sun’s light is reflected. This creates patterns of brighter and darker reflections when viewed from orbit. These patterns trace the complex surface water dynamics along the coast.
Sao Paulo, Brazil, at Night
1000 x 697 678 KB - JPEG
Published May 4, 2003
A favorite activity of astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station is looking at the city lights below when the Station crosses the Earth’s dark side. The lights outline the densest population centers and coastlines, and suggest cultural patterns. Taking these low-light images using the equipment on board the Station has been challenging to the crew members because of the long exposure times required. Astronaut Don Pettit has pioneered an approach using a home-made tracking system to track the ground as it moves relative to the Station, allowing him to acquire long-exposure images under low light conditions. This image shows the sprawling urban footprint of São Paulo, Brazil, South America’s largest city with roughly 17 million people. The different colors (pink, white, and gray) define different types and generations of street lights.
Smog in the Northern Adriatic Sea
1000 x 640 260 KB - JPEG
Published April 27, 2003
The boot of Italy crosses the image in this southwest-looking view taken by the crew of the International Space Station.
A Danish Perspective
3032 x 2004 2 MB - JPEG
Published April 20, 2003
Taking advantage of remarkably fair weather over north central Europe for this time of year, an astronaut captured this panoramic view of Denmark.
New York City and East Coast City Lights
1000 x 861 455 KB - JPEG
Published April 13, 2003
Bright city lights along the coastline and interior delineate the eastern coast of the United States at night.